Even if you’ve worked with a brand designer, there will likely be pieces here and there that you’ll end up creating yourself. Whether it’s a PDF, email graphic, or a last minute presentation, you may not always have a designer on call.

Even though you aren’t a designer, you know good design when you see it. So why is it so hard to replicate? The best way to make your DIY designs feel more put together and polished is to keep it simple. Stick with classic typography, beautiful high quality images, and a simple layout.

Here are three ways to elevate your DIY design:

1. Limit your use of color

Using too many colors can clutter a design and make it look like you’re trying too hard. Limit your color palette by sticking with no more than 2-3 colors for each marketing piece you create. Start with one color for your text and then sparingly add color to headlines or callouts.

2. Use a grid layout

This applies to all marketing materials you’ll be creating for your business. A simple layout concept you can follow is the rule of thirds. Split any layout into three columns rather than two and create the layout within those restraints. Another mistake of DIY design is lack of white space. Create wide margins between your text and edge of the page, as well as space between headings and body copy.

3. Keep your typography simple

To keep things simple, choose 2-3 fonts for each piece, and keep it consistent. Using a headline font and a body font helps to create hierarchy and visual interest in a piece. If you’d like to incorporate a script or handwritten font, I recommend to use sparingly. If you’re a beginner, I suggest starting by always using right or left alignment for your text, and keep your text boxes narrow. Full page width text can be difficult to read, especially on a digital screen.

I hope this post has helped you see how you can elevate your own DIY design. In my Brand Clarity Workbook, I include examples of color palettes and font pairings you can use in your own brand materials, so be sure to grab it at the link below!